Congratulations to UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Chancellor Carmen Farina,and Mayor Bill de Blasio, as well as their negotiating teams, for finally hammering out a fair, viable and equitable contract for the 100,000 teachers and other school staff. It was long overdue.

With raises totaling 18 percent over nine years, retroactive pay going back to 2009, and a $1,000 bonus, this contract proves that the UFT, DOE, and this mayor can sit down and negotiate. Now, it is time for all of the other hardworking municipal employees to also have fair, decent,and equitable contracts as well.